Melissa stared out the window in silence, not really seeing the countryside they passed. She sniffled softly and a tissue appeared in from of her face. She took it and blotted her cheeks, hoping not to smear her mascara.

"So, what do you think?" her boyfriend asked after a moment.

She sighed and looked down at the bottle of Long Island Iced Tea, ribbon tied around the neck, that sat in her lap. At the time she had been sure he was planning some sort of weird trick on her. He did that sometimes. He called them bazingas.

"When you first started this story, I was sure it was some kind of joke. I thought you were planning one of your elaborate tricks and we were actually going to end up at a convention or something." She turned to look at the man who often had her spinning in circles.

Carl was funny, sweet, smart, and loving. He was also completely out of his mind at times. He would get so wrapped up in his work on occasion that she had to actually drag him away from his computer and put him to bed. More than once he had pissed her off so badly she came close to leaving. He was a generous lover and her best friend. He was the one person she knew would always be there for her.

"Like the time you said we were going for a romantic getaway and you took me to that stupid robotics expo where that mechanical arm punched me," she growled. That one was still a bit of a sore spot at times.

Carl grimaced awkwardly. "And now?"

Melissa looked out the window again and sighed. "How your parents got together is such a beautiful story. I can't believe you never told it to me before. We've been a couple over a year now. We've lived together for 6 months. You rarely talk about your parents, so I just always felt like you didn't want me to meet them."

Carl looked sheepish as he shrugged. "I've never taken anyone home," he admitted. "I've never cared enough about someone to want them to meet my mom."

Melissa felt her reservations melt away immediately. Sometimes the big lug could be so infuriating! And then there were moments like this when she was reminded of why she fell in love with him in the first place. Carl slowed down and pulled into a wide driveway. She studied the house curiously.

The lawn was mown in even, straight lines. Colorful gladiolas lined the porch. Two rocking chairs sat at one end. Three other cars were parked close together. Carl got out and came around to open her door. Melissa gripped the bottle nervously in one hand, and Carl's hand in the other.

They walked up onto the porch and Carl opened the door without knocking. Several people turned to look at them, and she blushed shyly. She hung back as a tiny old woman ran over and wrapped her thin arms around Carl tightly. He bent his head and kissed the short gray curls fondly.

"Hello, Aunt Bernie," he smiled.

Melissa watched as he was pulled into the room to greet everyone. She felt a little lost in a room of strangers, and was about to find a corner to hide in when a tall, balding man stepped in front of her. He seemed a bit stern and imposing.

"Hello, young lady. Come with me."

Before Melissa could abject, he had taken her elbow and swept her from the room. He led her up some stairs and into the first room on the left. A plump old woman was sitting on the bed, rubbing one hand gently. The man released her and moved over to sit beside the woman.

"Hands hurting?" he asked gently.

She nodded and looked over at Melissa. Her eyes lit up and Melissa relaxed. "You must by Melissa."

Melissa nodded and held out the bottle awkwardly. "Um, Carl said I should give you this, Mrs. Cooper."

Carl's parents looked at the bottle and burst out laughing. His mom stood and walked over to embrace her warmly. "Call me Penny, dear. And he's Sheldon. We don't stand on formality here. Now, where's that son of mine?"

Melissa smiled as Penny linked their arms and led her back out and down the stairs. "He was saying hello to the others downstairs."

Penny giggled, her wrinkled face lit up with happiness. "Let me guess, he forgot to introduce you around, didn't he?"

Melissa nodded. "I'm sure he didn't mean to. He's been so excited about this trip."

Penny shook her head and leaned in close to pseudo-whisper. "Like father, like son. Sheldon forgets me all the time."

"I do not," he grumbled from behind them.

"He spent an hour and 37 minutes talking about his Meemaw when he won his Nobel, and forgot to mention he had a wife who had stood by him for 18 years," Penny retorted.

"I'll never live that down," Sheldon muttered.

Penny paused at the bottom of the stairs to catch her breath. Melissa noticed the entire group watching Penny closely. Carl hurried over and gently swept his mom up into his arms. Melissa felt tears trying to form at the obvious love in Sheldon's eyes as he watched his wife and son.

"Hey, Momma," Carl said. He released her and hugged his dad with one arm. "Pops." Carl took a step back and drew Melissa to his side. "Everyone, this is Melissa Houck, my girlfriend."

One by one everyone came forward and hugged her or shook her hand. Bernadette and her daughter Caroline, Amy and Charlie with a little girl named Shelly, Raj with his two daughters Aya and Layla, Leonard and Alex; they all introduced themselves and welcomed her enthusiastically. She looked at Carl questioningly, but it was Penny who answered.

"We lost Howard three years ago to cancer," she said softly. Sheldon's arm went around her shoulder comfortingly and she leaned her head against his chest. "Raj's wife, Lolita, passed away from heart failure last year. A car accident took Amy and Charlie's daughter Sarah a few months later."

Melissa looked at the others sadly. "Oh. I… I was looking forward to meeting them all. After listening to Carl tell me about you I felt like I getting to know you all."

Amy smiled, her eyes behind her bifocals heavy with tears. She reached out and took Melissa's hand gently. "Oh, honey, there's a lot more stories we can tell you. Come on, I'll tell you about how Raj and Lolita ran into each other at a video store and fell in love."

Penny, Sheldon and Carl watched as their family drew Melissa over to the couch and began regaling her with their history.

"She's the one?" Sheldon asked.

Carl nodded. "I'm sure," he said softly.

Penny grinned and looked at her two favorite men. She had no complaints. She had lived a good long life so far. She had large, loving family. She had spent 33 years with Sheldon. They had had their ups and downs, but they dealt with it all together. Now her bright, inquisitive, absent-minded son had found his own true love. She knew from phone calls and letters that things weren't always easy for them. In her opinion that was a good thing. Adversity would either make them stronger or tear them apart. If they could make it through whatever life threw at them, they'd have a strong, lasting life together.

She straightened and moved toward the kitchen. "Tea?" she asked loudly.

Everyone agreed and she went to put on the kettle. She turned on the burner and Sheldon wrapped his arms around her from behind. "How are you feeling?" he asked worriedly. He knew she still got tired fairly easily ever since her bypass surgery.

She turned and hugged him tight before kissing him with all the love she felt. "Our family is all under one roof, Moon Pie. I have your arms around me. How could I be anything over than deliriously happy?"

Sheldon bent and kissed her thoroughly. "I love you, too," he whispered against her mouth.

Carl moved from the kitchen door and sat down beside Melissa. He loved this woman. He wanted to marry her. He watched his aunts, uncles, and cousins welcome his girlfriend with open arms. He had never been happier.

A/N: Thank you all for joining me on this story's journey. The original story was a lot more unhappy. Sheldon couldn't change, Penny couldn't stay, and eventually the entire group split. I am so glad I was hit with inspiration halfway through to change it. I hated to lose Howard in this chapter (actually cried real tears over that) but for some reason, he just wouldn't appear at the end. Until next time, take care.